16-year-old charged with murder of Afghan refugee in Twickenham

Suspect to appear in court on Saturday

Hazrat Wali died after sustaining knife injuries in Twickenham (Metropolitan Police/PA Wire)

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a young Afghan refugee in south west London.

Hazrat Wali, 18, died in hospital on Tuesday after he was fatally stabbed, collapsing in a park in Twickenham.

Police were called to playing fields at Craneford Way at 4.45pm, where people playing football and coaching rugby were said by police to have witnessed the attack.

Mr Wali, of Notting Hill, was pronounced dead an hour later.

A teenager from Hammersmith and Fulham was charged on Friday, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force announced his arrest on Thursday afternoon, and he is due to appear in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

A post-mortem examination had been scheduled to take place at Kingston Mortuary on Friday.

Detectives from Scotland Yard’s Specialist Crime Command are investigating, and are appealing for information and footage.

Mr Wali had reportedly been living in the UK for two years.

The principal of Richmond upon Thames College, Dr Jason Jones, said on Thursday: “Hazrat had a bright future ahead of him. His friends and staff at the College will remember him fondly as a bright and polite young man, well liked by staff and his close-knit group of friends.

“The college community is hurting but we will continue to do everything that we can to support our students, staff and families during this traumatic time.”

Anyone who has information or footage of the incident is asked to call police on 101, or tweet MetCC quoting 5697/12OCT. Alternatively, information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.